Hello Fodorites, I'm hoping someone here is not American and has had to get a Schengen visa before My boyfriend is South African and applying for a Schengen visa to visit my family in Czech Rep. My aunt just told me that she's planning to take us for a day trip to Austria to visit a castle or something.

Question: if he gets a Schengen visa from the Czech consulate, does it specify which countries it's for?

I know that in principle the Schengen area is "free" and you're supposed to be able to cross, but in the application for the visa they ask which countries you're visiting and for specific dates. Does anyone know what it's like in practice - does the visa specify countries, do the border guards b/w CZ and Austria even look? We already did the application, but I am wondering if we need to revise it?

Thanks for any info!

mp413

Hi,

A Schengen visa is valid for all countries within the Schengen area. There are no immigration check points between Schengen countries.

Link with detailed info about the Schengen visa:
http://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/pol...rs_visa_en.htm

As long as it is a multiple entry visa (which is what is usually issued) you won't have a problem. Be sure to travel with the passport even though you shouldn't have to go through passport control between borders.

even if its a single entry visa you'll be fine as long as you don't leave the schengen area.

You don't even have to worry with a single entry visa as long as you don't leave the Schengen area. A multiple entry visa will allow you to enter the Schengen area multiple times during a six months period for a total stay not exceeding 90 days. This is needed if you for example plan to visit countries not participating in Schengen, for example UK and Ireland, and then need to re enter the Schengen area. Your passport should of course always be with you since you must be able to proof your identity and that you are not staying in the Schengen area illegaly. As said before, there are no immigration check points within the Schengen area. There are security checkpoints (e.g. at airports and ports) and customs checkpoints. I've never been checked at a customs checkpoint but they do exist.

Thanks a lot for these clarifications! Sounds like he will be able to cross over without a problem.

mp413